Last year, I had a problem with my 1995 850 GLT. The front tires were wearing out too fast. I was told by a Volvo certified mechanic that one of the problems with this model as well as its related models is the front end suspension. He said "they are all known for giving out..." I spoke with another mechanic at a Volvo dealership and he said my problem was probably just the 'stabilizer bar links'. I changed them and sure enough the problem was solved.
During this process I also read in the owner's manual that the 'front arm' should be "lubricated" once a year. I have yet to find anyone who actually does this. Could this be the reason why the front end suspension has earned this reputation as the first mechanice described ?
I welcome all opinions on this subject !

 

I have never heard of any suspension component on these cars needing lubrication.

 

I don't see anything about suspension lube here:
https://www.customers.volvocars.com/...intenance.html

FWD cars have a lot of weight in the front. That makes it easy to damage suspension parts.

 

Thank you Gilber33 and rspi for responding ! My owner's manual for the 1995 Volvo states "Grease front link arm stops" every 10,000 miles. This is found in section 8 ( Servicing) page 5.
I am a novice when it comes to Volvo repair, but I can say with a certainty that nobody has greased anything down there in years and it bothers me. When I asked a mechanic about this, he said that everything was sealed down there and he could not see any parts that needed grease.
What does the manual mean by "front link arm stops" ? Where can I locate them and what type of grease do you recommend ?

 

The other guys are correct in that there are no grease fittings to service with your grease gun.

What the manual is referring to is the nylon stop plate riveted to the front of each lower control arm (LCA). Just wipe a dab of grease on there; otherwise you may hear a creak at the steering stops...

BTW: that first mechanic you spoke with is full of it!! The '95 850 is one of the most solid ever built by volvo; IMO...

 

gdog, I agree with you concerning the first mechanic, that is why I would not let him work on my car. But there he is. He has a big Volvo sign over his establishment. The only one in this area. He does repairs only --not a dealer. It makes me sick to my stomach to think of all those Volvos in his parking lot and wonder how many would wind up in junkyards because the owners could not afford a $4,600 front end job when all they needed might be two stabilizer bar links.

 

Ahem... as much as I love the 850, I have to say that the design of the OEM spring seats is absolutely rubbish.

 

I can see the lower arm breaking down faster than most suspension parts. If you think about how much force is trying to push that arm forward when you accelerate. That arm pulls the car...there is a lot of force there.

 

Get some heavy duty spring seats.



lol.